Sarah Broadhurst's view...

Shortlisted for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2010.

The second outing for Inspector Devlin where we begin to learn more about him and his colleagues but of course it’s the murders that hold the attention here, a young girl and then an ex-con – brutally crucified. This is police procedural stuff at its best. Don’t miss it.

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Synopsis

Gallows Lane by Brian Mcgilloway

The second Inspector Devlin Mystery . . .

Taking its title from the name of the road down which condemned Donegal criminals were once led, Gallows Lane follows Inspector Benedict Devlin as he investigates a series of gruesome murders in and around the Irish borderlands. When a young woman is found beaten to death on a building site, in what appears to be a sexually-motivated killing, Devlin’s enquiries soon point to a local body-builder and steroid addict. But days later, born-again ex-con James Kerr is found nailed to a tree – crucified – having been released from prison and returned to his hometown to spread the word of God.

Increasingly torn between his young family and his job, Devlin is determined to apprehend those responsible for the murders be-fore they strike again, even as the carnage begins to jeopardise those he cares about most.

Reviews

'McGilloway's second Devlin mystery gathers pace and tension. Planted evidence, death threats and a bruising rivalry for promotion bring on panic attacks in Devlin as he struggles to bring his flawed police work to a just conclusion.' – Financial Times

‘Brian McGilloway once again captures the atmosphere of the Irish borderlands in Gallows Lane, his second case for Detective Inspector Benedict Devlin. McGilloway skilfully handles the tangled threads of a conspiracy surrounding an old crime, to make a satisfying mystery with an attractive central character.’ – The Sunday Telegraph

‘Brian McGilloway's Borderlands was one of last year's most impressive debuts. Does Gallows Lane pass the feared 'second novel' test? Easily.’ – The Times

‘McGilloway believably threads together [various cases] to reveal a complex conspiracy. Driven by real human motivations, doubts and desires, Gallows Lane is a very rewarding read.’ – The Irish Mail on Sunday

'A stunning second novel... in what promises to be an excellent series. Taut and fast paced...McGilloway expertly conveys the atmosphere of the small, country town ... [and] has written another compelling book here with no clichés or easy answers.' – Verbal magazine

‘McGilloway has followed up his acclaimed crime fiction debut with another masterly thriller.’– Irish News

About the Author

Brian McGilloway was born in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1974, and teaches English at St Columb's College, Derry. He lives near the Irish borderlands with his wife and their four children. He is the author of six previous crime novels: Little Girl Lost, The Rising, Bleed A River Deep, Gallows Lane, Borderlands and The Nameless Dead. Little Girl Lost was the first novel to feature DS Lucy Black, who returns in Hurt.